India captain Mithali Raj talked about being “more consistent” in the areas the team has worked on over the past year, apart from talking about the scope for improvement in her batting ahead of the Women’s World Cup in March and April. The need has been emphasized.
In a bid to kick off the “best possible” preparations for the ODI World Cup, India will play a five-match series against hosts New Zealand from February 11. The World Cup will start on March 4 in the same country.
India introduced many new faces in England and Australia. Successful comebacks in the team like Meghna Singh, Yastika Bhatia and Richa Ghosh were tried out in those two series.
Top-order batsman Yastika, wicketkeeper-batsman Richa and pacer Meghna made their ODI debuts Down Under and they all made an impact.
Although India lost the three-match series 1-2, they managed to push the mighty Australians to the limit.
Speaking from Vijayawada, where she is training, Mithali looked at the positives from the two tours and also spoke about what her side needs to do in New Zealand.
“We will try to fine-tune our combination and try out some compositions for the World Cup during the ODIs against New Zealand and be a little more consistent in what worked for us last year,” he added.
Mithali felt that the team now has enough firepower in the middle order thanks to Richa and Pooja, while swing bowler Meghna and the uncapped Renuka Singh are welcome in the pace department.
Capacity
“The lower middle order contributed to Australia and we want it to be a little more consistent. They have potential and all-rounders like Pooja and Sneh have done well in England and Australia.
Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma will have to play a big role if India are expected to do well in the World Cup, while Mithali will be expected to score big runs in the middle order.
strike rate
The veteran recorded four 50-plus scores in six matches in England and Australia, but his strike rate, especially early in the innings, became a topic of discussion.
“There are areas where as a player you feel you need to work on, no matter how many years you spend at that level. Because always teams and bowlers try to strategize and you need to counter that.
There are some things that I have seen (from my innings) in England and Australia that I can really work on.
On her plans, Mithali said: “Let’s focus on the World Cup, the next two months are going to be crucial.”
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